Hamlet

Theater Rotterdam / Erik Whien

Young Hamlet mourns his late father. In his immediate environment, there seems to be no room for this. His mother soon remarries, to her husband's brother. The denial of Hamlet's grief affects him in his deepest essence. As if reality is sinking under his feet. He gets caught up in his thoughts and questions everything and everyone around him. One thing he promises - whatever the consequences - he will not forget his father.

"You know, it's quite normal. Everything that lives has to die."
– Gertrude (mother of Hamlet)

Run time 90 minutes
Genre Theatre
Language Dutch

Please note, this performance addresses topics such as grief and depression.

Hamlet

After much-acclaimed performances such as Revolutionary Road and Verdriet is het ding met veren, director Erik Whien and actor Jacob Derwig join forces again for a show about mourning, loss and resilience. The Shakespeare classic Hamlet is adapted into a pithy family drama, focusing on the lonely and growing-up Hamlet. The play is played by Hannah Hoekstra, Jacob Derwig and Roman Derwig. The latter two are also father and son in real life.
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As such, this Hamlet is also a mirror palace: a play within a play, which, through the story of the Danish prince, questions topics such as appearance and reality, finitude and the process of letting go. Hamlet must accept not only his father's death, but also his own mortality.

REVIEWS

de Volkskrant

“The stunning talent Roman Derwig walks in his father's footsteps in Theater Rotterdam's Hamlet.”

Theaterkrant

“Shrouded grief and youthful innocence make this Hamlet poignant.”

NRC

“Sparking chemistry between father and son.”

Trouw

“Beautiful and moving.”

Credits

text William Shakespeare
adaptation Jacob Derwig and Erik Whien, in collaboration with Koen Tachelet
translation Bert Voeten
direction Erik Whien
actors Roman Derwig, Jacob Derwig and Hannah Hoekstra
scenography Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck
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light design Julian Maiwald
costume design Rebekka Wörmann
music George Dhauw
dramaturgy Kyra Mol
direction assistance Doris Vervuurt
campaign image Annaleen Louwes
scene images Sanne Peper